Chris Cooper reviews the latest issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…
“The TMNT recuperate in their new underground lair following their battle with Slash, the latest deadly creation of Stockgen. April O’Neil, an interim at Stockgen, has recently begun to uncover dark secrets there. Little does she know that her co-worker Chet Allen is secretly the Fugitoid, the very same scientist who is hunted by General Krang!”
Whilst issues 15 and 16 contained a short, more personal arc focusing on Slash and the turtles’ discovery of a new lair, 17 really opens things up. So far we’ve really only seen the off world action from the point of view of Krang and Stockman, but now we start to see things from the Neutrino’s side. Readers of the Micro Series will already be aware of more than what is presented here, though I don’t think that is necessarily helpful. If anything knowing less helps with the tension.
If you read my previous reviews you’ll now that I adored the Slash arc. Bar a big Foot Clan presence it had everything I like in a TMNT story. Action, moral issues, drama and the Brothers working together. It also showed that the right choice isn’t always easy to deal with. Whilst #17 delves further into this, and does it very well with another great monologue from Splinter, it also centres very much on something I’ve never been quite so comfortable with, and that is alien worlds. I’m fully aware that it has always had a big place in the TMNT universe, but I’ve not had too much exposure to it and prefer my stories to be in New York against either other Ninja or other Mutants. Maybe it will grow on me.
Just as I get used to Andy Kuhn (and actually grew to quite like his work), issue #17 brings us Ben Bates on both the exterior and interior art. Bar a distinct lack of detail in some odd places (such as April’s face in one panel!), it’s great! Though I did wonder why Shredder is sat eating a meal in full armour (sans helmet). It’s not as though he uses it for cutlery (bringing to mind a Mikey quote – “I bet he never has to look for a can opener!”). Regardless, the colours are vibrant and the action gives across a great sense of motion. The cover is a lovely, frenetic piece that immediately piqued my interest. Bates is currently signed on issues 17-20, but based on this start I hope he stays as I can only see it getting stronger as he settles in. It think it will help the title if IDW signed up a long term artist now.
TMNT has built up more than enough goodwill for me to see how its increasing intergalactic bent pans out. It might not be my TMNT, but it continues to be of a high standard.
Chris Cooper
